British singer Ian Mcculloch lived up to his cantankerous reputation at his
solo gig in London last night (24OCT04), by frequently interrupting his set to
blast politicians, celebrities and the venue's crew.

The Echo And The Bunnymen frontman grew increasingly frustrated during his
intimate concert at the British capital's Bloomsbury Theatre, and subsequently
unleashed bitter attacks on his own band, his technicians, the sound engineers
and "DAVID
BLUNKETT on lights", in reference to the blind Home Secretary.

McCulloch - famous for his intolerant attitude to society and showbusiness
- enlisted a roadie to walk on stage to light his cigarette whenever he craved
one, and at one stage ordered an over-worked helper to adjust his guitar strap,
which was
"a bit floppy".

And not even the adoring crowd, who responded to his verbal assaults with
raucous applause, escaped his wrath - he lambasted a audience-member for
sneezing.